The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation and a prior effective date for his left shoulder disability were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional separate ratings, and determined that the current 20 percent rating was appropriate given the Veteran's range of motion limitations.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s range of motion was limited to 25 degrees from the side, warranting a higher 30 percent rating under diagnostic code 5201. The Board found no additional separate ratings were warranted and denied both the increased evaluation claim and the prior effective date claim.
- Claimed conditions
- acromioclavicular separation, resection of distal one-half inch of clavicle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19162115
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,429 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19162115.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that further action is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability due to a possible increase in his condition. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under DC 5203. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Granted
The Board has vacated the November 6, 2007 decision denying an increased rating for residuals of acromioclavicular separation of the left shoulder. The current disability rating remains at 20 percent.
- Dismissed
The veteran has withdrawn his claim for an increased initial rating for acromioclavicular separation of the left shoulder, and thus the appeal is dismissed.
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